May 1998 Edition
Excerpts from the statement by Dr. Rashmi Mayur, Director, International Institute for Sustainable Future, Mumbai
The world today has enough nuclear weapons to exterminate every one of the 5.9 billion human beings five times over. The explosion of three nuclear devices by India has exposed the hypocrisy of the United States and other vested interests. The U.S. and its allies in NATO had developed computer simulation technology whereby the results of nuclear explosions could be known without actual tests. The CTBT is thoroughly dishonest in that it sought to ban nations which do not have the computer technology, from simulating tests.
Despite the ban, including underground tests, China conducted its tests and still continues to enjoy most favoured nation status with the U.S. France too merrily conducted its underwater explosions in the Pacific without invoking the wrath of the U.S.
The largest number of nuclear weapons are with the U.S., which has about 16,750 followed by Russia with 15,000. France has 525, China 430 and the U.K. 200. Israel too has 75. In 1997, $30-billion worth or arms were sold all over the world, half of them by the U.S. The U.S. has already outlined its vision 2010, to take over the planet by that year.
The total figure of multilateral and bilateral aid which will be affected if sanctions are imposed by the U.S., Germany, Japan, Australia, Switzerland, the Netherlands and the U.K. will be $7 billions. These sanctions will, in fact, be a blessing in disguise for India. India has received billions of dollars in aid and loans during the last 52 years, but this money has done very little for the common people of India. We have become dependent on the foreign money, large amounts of which was skimmed by the donating countries, bureaucracy and politicians at every level. The common man was less than benefited. Now is the time for us to become self- dependent by setting the priorities right.
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